I also had the pleasure of meeting a long-time BCN lurker, Pere Coll, who invited me to his house to see his bead collection and also meet with Cisse Boubocar, a bead trader from Mali who is known to some of you.

Pere has an amazing collection of Islamic era beads and Venetian trade beads. He also has the most incredible collection of huge old amber beads, many with repairs.

Here is a picture of me with Pere. I'm wearing one of his gorgeous amber strands. Second pic is of the amber. Pictures just do not do these beads justice - they are really amazing!